Matt Le Tissier joins ticket price protest outside St Mary's

Matt Le Tissier, who scored 161 times in his 443 appearances for Saints, joined fans near the Ted Bates statue on Saturday, holding a banner aloft with the hashtag "Stop Exploiting Loyalty".

The Football Supporters' Association campaign, which is being held at stadiums across England, was conjured after 19 of the 20 Premier League clubs raised ticket prices over the summer, and supporter group across the league demonstrated together on Saturday.

Saints legend Le Tissier told the Daily Echo: “It’s terrific that fans are all sticking together.

“I think for far too long football has taken advantage of the loyalty of their fans, knowing whatever price they stick on it they’re going to pay it.

“It’s great to see solidarity [between Saints and Everton fans] to get the message across.”

Southampton FC and Everton fans stand united with a banner to stop ticket price rises. (Image: Newsquest) Season ticket holder Mark Harpur, from Thornhill, joined Manchester City fans in protest last weekend at the Etihad Stadium, and then arranged to get the banner shown at St Mary’s this week.

READ MORE: Saints fans urged to join St Mary's ticket pricing protest

The banner started discussions with almost everyone who walked in front of it.

One 20-year-old Saints fan, who did not want to be named, simply said: “If you don’t want to pay it, don’t pay it.”

But just starting the discussion is the “entire point” according to an Everton fan holding the banner.

“Not everyone would want to stand here and hold the banner but that’s fine,” he said.

“It’s just about getting people talking about it and acknowledging that these price rises are happening way too often.”

Southampton FC and Everton fans protest ticket price rises under the Ted Bates statue. (Image: Newsquest) The Stop Exploiting Loyalty campaign also criticises clubs for reducing the discount for concession tickets – which reduces the price for younger and older fans.

A Saints Disabled Supporters Assocation member, who also wished to remain unnamed, said: “Coming after concession tickets is just crazy to me.

“I can take my boy here to watch Saints for a lot cheaper because they offer the 18-25 ticket, but across the country, clubs are really starting to cut back on the [discounted prices].”

This is the second weekend of action from clubs across the UK in the campaign.

The protest is not specifically against Southampton FC, and the club did not provide a comment.